Are atheists against religion or against Christianity?

[Mr Danksworth]

But aren't you assuming that your research is accurate and complete, something that is not very likely when dealing with matters of the spirit?

No proof, no belief. That simple. I can entertain the notion though, and hypothesize on what 'spirit' may be.

Why would you hypothesize about something you have no proof, or even evidence, that it exists?

Because I'm an artist, I think about all sorts of weirdness. Just because there is no proof doesn't mean I can't think about it or entertain notions. It's called imagination.

[Mr Danksworth]

So the Earth was a ball of magma... it cooled to a primeval soup... magically single celled creatures appeared... one said he'd like to become a crocodile, but he would have to eat, so he asked his identical neighbor to become a gazelle, who in turn asked his identical neighbour to become some shrubbery to eat, and all was good... pretty easy to poke fun at that and call it bunkum too.

Only if one has no concept of how evolution and natural selection actually work. Then it just makes one look like an IDiot.

[Mr Danksworth]

What if I take the good and throw away the trash.

Out of curiousity, I'm wondering what the good is that you found.

"Do not to your neighbor what you would take ill from him." – Pittacus[4]
"Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing." – Thales [5]
"What you wish your neighbors to be to you, such be also to them." – Sextus the Pythagorean[6]
"Do not do to others what would anger you if done to you by others." – Isocrates[7]
"What thou avoidest suffering thyself seek not to impose on others." – Epictetus[8]
"It is impossible to live a pleasant life without living wisely and well and justly (agreeing 'neither to harm nor be harmed'[9]),
and it is impossible to live wisely and well and justly without living a pleasant life." – Epicurus[10]
“Do to every man as thou would’st have him do to thee; and do not unto another what thou would’st not have done to thee” - Believed to have written by Confucius, about 500 years before the start of the Common/Christian era (George Seldes, The Great Quotations, The Citadel Press, 1983, p. 174).

Sound familiar?

It's just another book to me, and not a very good one at that, not a single original thought in the whole thing.

[zzontar]

So the Earth was a ball of magma... it cooled to a primeval soup... magically single celled creatures appeared... one said he'd like to become a crocodile, but he would have to eat, so he asked his identical neighbor to become a gazelle, who in turn asked his identical neighbour to become some shrubbery to eat, and all was good... pretty easy to poke fun at that and call it bunkum too.

Only if one has no concept of how evolution and natural selection actually work. Then it just makes one look like an IDiot.

I know exactly how they work, it still doesn't explain how it began.

[zzontar]

What if I take the good and throw away the trash.

Out of curiousity, I'm wondering what the good is that you found.

"Do not to your neighbor what you would take ill from him." – Pittacus[4]
"Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing." – Thales [5]
"What you wish your neighbors to be to you, such be also to them." – Sextus the Pythagorean[6]
"Do not do to others what would anger you if done to you by others." – Isocrates[7]
"What thou avoidest suffering thyself seek not to impose on others." – Epictetus[8]
"It is impossible to live a pleasant life without living wisely and well and justly (agreeing 'neither to harm nor be harmed'[9]),
and it is impossible to live wisely and well and justly without living a pleasant life." – Epicurus[10]
“Do to every man as thou would’st have him do to thee; and do not unto another what thou would’st not have done to thee” - Believed to have written by Confucius, about 500 years before the start of the Common/Christian era (George Seldes, The Great Quotations, The Citadel Press, 1983, p. 174).

Sound familiar?

It's just another book to me, and not a very good one at that, not a single original thought in the whole thing.

So have you ever tried any of those?

[Mr Danksworth]

So the Earth was a ball of magma... it cooled to a primeval soup... magically single celled creatures appeared... one said he'd like to become a crocodile, but he would have to eat, so he asked his identical neighbor to become a gazelle, who in turn asked his identical neighbour to become some shrubbery to eat, and all was good... pretty easy to poke fun at that and call it bunkum too.

Only if one has no concept of how evolution and natural selection actually work. Then it just makes one look like an IDiot.

I know exactly how they work, it still doesn't explain how it began.

So you just insert 'god' until science figures it out. Nice placeholder until logic and reason fill the void.

[Mr Danksworth]

What if I take the good and throw away the trash.

Out of curiousity, I'm wondering what the good is that you found.

"Do not to your neighbor what you would take ill from him." – Pittacus[4]
"Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing." – Thales [5]
"What you wish your neighbors to be to you, such be also to them." – Sextus the Pythagorean[6]
"Do not do to others what would anger you if done to you by others." – Isocrates[7]
"What thou avoidest suffering thyself seek not to impose on others." – Epictetus[8]
"It is impossible to live a pleasant life without living wisely and well and justly (agreeing 'neither to harm nor be harmed'[9]),
and it is impossible to live wisely and well and justly without living a pleasant life." – Epicurus[10]
“Do to every man as thou would’st have him do to thee; and do not unto another what thou would’st not have done to thee” - Believed to have written by Confucius, about 500 years before the start of the Common/Christian era (George Seldes, The Great Quotations, The Citadel Press, 1983, p. 174).

Sound familiar?

It's just another book to me, and not a very good one at that, not a single original thought in the whole thing.

So have you ever tried any of those?

For the most part yes. In all interactions, no. There are no absolutes.

[fluffy]

There is some arrogance in not being open to possibilities outside ones own current beliefs.

If you have beliefs, why would be open to possibilities that contradict your beliefs, unless you doubt your beliefs. In which case, are you saying that it is arrogant to have beliefs?

There is much in the realm of spritual and metaphysical matters that simply cannot be proven or disproven. I am saying that it would be arrogant of me to think that I have all the answers, or to issue blanket statements that the beliefs systems of others is wrong. I'm not on board with the concept of a conscious God, but I don't think that gives me the right to criticize the millions upon millions who share that belief. While for many, probably for most, the existence of a conscious God cannot be proven neither can it be be disproved. There are concepts like "live and let live" and "to each his own" that are much more appropriate here than "my God can beat up your God".

[fluffy]

Religious beliefs are based on faith, which, by definition, discounts information that may "disprove" the belief. So are you saying that people who have faith -- Christians, for example -- who are not interested in "all the information", are conceited people? In which case, are you saying that only a conceited person would be a Christian? Just asking, as I'm sure you've thought out all the ramifications of what you've said.

If you believe that yours is the one true God to the exclusion of all others, and that anyone who does not share your particular vision is incorrect, then yes, I would say that is conceited.

[Born_again]

Topic question: Are atheists against religion or against Christianity?

This atheist is against religion, but mostly for the sick methods of its propagation, i.e. child abuse.

[zzontar]

Topic question: Are atheists against religion or against Christianity?

This atheist is against religion, but mostly for the sick methods of its propagation, i.e. child abuse.

Perhaps you could explain how all religions condone child abuse.

[Mr Danksworth]

Indoctrination into religion before you can make a choice is abuse.

[Born_again]

No prob's, zzontar.
The wilful indoctrination/brainwashing of our children during their formative years is mental abuse. I don't have a problem with santa, easter bunny and the tooth fairy, as kids are generally allowed to grow out of those myths over time and there is no residual damage. The only reason why gods myths are allowed to persist in the youngsters minds is for fear, control and group-delusion purposes. The really sad thing about this is that for the rest of their lives they will be clinging to infantile notions that were hard-wired into them as children, and their brain will likely never function fully as nature intended it to.
Please, accept indoctrination/brainwashing for what it is. There is no cuddly-fuzzy form of indoctrination that is universally acceptable, so why continue with this barbaric act on the ones we love the most? It just doesn't make sense.

[Glacier]

No prob's, zzontar.
The wilful indoctrination/brainwashing of our children during their formative years is mental abuse. I don't have a problem with santa, easter bunny and the tooth fairy, as kids are generally allowed to grow out of those myths over time and there is no residual damage. The only reason why gods myths are allowed to persist in the youngsters minds is for fear, control and group-delusion purposes. The really sad thing about this is that for the rest of their lives they will be clinging to infantile notions that were hard-wired into them as children, and their brain will likely never function fully as nature intended it to.
Please, accept indoctrination/brainwashing for what it is. There is no cuddly-fuzzy form of indoctrination that is universally acceptable, so why continue with this barbaric act on the ones we love the most? It just doesn't make sense.

Hell ya I indoctrinate/brainwash my children to what I believe. I do it all the time. ie. share with your sister, tell the truth, eat your veggies, etc.

[Big ned]

Glacier is right.

Be nice, share, care about others, don't tease, respect others. Oh, I see some didn't get enough indoctrination. Too bad.

I have to indoctrinate my kids to stay away from drugs, limit you time on the tv and computer, don't swear, eat healthy, be responsible etc. They are going to be so much worse off for it I'm sure.